US President Donald Trump on Friday departed for a three-nation Asia tour covering Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, the White House announced.
The visit will begin in Kuala Lumpur, where Trump is set to attend the ASEAN Summit before travelling to Japan and South Korea. His trip will conclude with a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on October 30 in South Korea, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters.
“President Trump will meet President Xi on the morning of October 30 in South Korea before returning to Washington,” Leavitt said.
Malaysia Leg of the Tour
Trump is expected to arrive in Malaysia on Sunday (October 26) morning, where the country is currently hosting the annual meetings of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partners. This will mark Trump’s first participation in the ASEAN Summit since he skipped the gatherings in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
During his stay in Kuala Lumpur, Trump will hold an expanded bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday afternoon. He is also scheduled to take part in a signing ceremony alongside the Prime Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand, following a recent border conflict between the two Southeast Asian nations that left dozens dead and displaced several people.
Later in the evening, Trump will join a working dinner with ASEAN leaders, focusing on economic cooperation, regional peace, and shared strategic goals.
Focus on Trade and Regional Security
According to the White House, the visit aims to deepen discussions on trade, regional security, and US-China relations.
Following Malaysia, Trump will travel to Japan to meet Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, where talks will centre around trade agreements and defence collaboration.
He will then proceed to South Korea, where he is slated to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in Gyeongju. There, Trump will hold bilateral talks with President Lee Jae Myung and address regional business leaders, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.
Meeting with Xi Jinping
The much-anticipated meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping will take place on October 30. Key issues on the agenda include US-China trade tensions, rare earth exports, and joint action against fentanyl trafficking.
The White House said Trump’s engagements during this tour aim to negotiate favourable trade deals, reduce tariffs, and strengthen US economic and diplomatic influence across Asia.
The administration described the visit as “a pivotal opportunity to reinforce America’s partnerships and advance peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.”
